JP2015061299A - Personal digital assistant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a personal digital assistant with excellent operability capable of excellently performing return to a normal power mode regardless of the brightness of a use environment while preventing the waste of power.SOLUTION: A personal digital assistant (1) having a power saving mode and a normal power mode includes: a proximity sensor (14) for detecting a fact that an object is in a proximity state with the personal digital assistant (1); an acceleration sensor (36) for detecting the direction of the personal digital assistant (1); and a control device (20) for controlling return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode. When the proximity state is detected by the proximity sensor (14) and also the acceleration sensor (36) detects a fact that the personal digital assistant (1) is directed downward to allow the upper part of the assistant to be vertically directed downward, the control device (20) suppresses the return even when a predetermined operation to instruct the return to the normal power mode is performed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone.

  In general, in a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, it is necessary to activate the system in advance in order to use the function of the terminal. However, if the entire system is activated in advance, power consumption is significant, and therefore, a transition to the power saving mode is performed under the condition that a predetermined time elapses without an operation. In the power saving mode, all or part of the power supply to a module with high power consumption such as a liquid crystal display panel is stopped, and the screen of the portable information terminal is turned off.

  On the other hand, in the portable information terminal that has shifted to the power saving mode, it is necessary to return to the normal power mode, that is, to start the stopped system, in order to perform some processing. As an operation for returning, there is an operation of pressing a mechanical switch such as a power switch. In addition, there are also devices that are restored by simply tapping (touching) a touch panel or a key operation unit in pursuit of operability.

  However, since the portable information terminal is often carried in a bag or pocket because of its shape, if it is configured to return by simply tapping on the touch panel or key operation unit, etc. If the user does not intend, the normal power mode is restored, and unexpected power consumption may occur.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses that an optical sensor is used to return to the normal power mode when the touch panel (screen) is tapped and the surroundings are bright and are put in a bag or the like. A portable information terminal is described in which when the surroundings are dark, it is determined that the user has not intentionally tapped and the normal power mode is not restored.

  Conventionally, in a portable information terminal, a touch sensor is provided on a side surface of the casing, and how the casing is held by hand based on a signal output from the touch sensor when touched by the hand. Some of them acquire the information (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-69235 A (published on March 16, 2001) JP 2012-83976 A (published April 26, 2012) JP 2007-80219 A (published March 29, 2007) JP 2012-49688 A (published March 8, 2012)

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, in a dark environment, even if a touch operation is performed on the touch panel or the key operation unit, the normal power mode cannot be restored. There is a problem that it is inferior to the operability at the time of return.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to prevent the waste of electric power and to carry out a portable operation excellent in operability that can be satisfactorily returned to the normal power mode regardless of the brightness of the use environment. To provide an information terminal.

  In order to solve the above problems, a portable information terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a portable information terminal having a power saving mode for supplying power only to necessary components and a normal power mode for performing normal power supply. A proximity sensor that detects that an object is in proximity to the portable information terminal, a direction detection sensor that detects the orientation of the portable information terminal, and control of returning from the power saving mode to the normal power mode A return control unit that detects that the object is in the proximity state by the proximity sensor, and the orientation detection sensor causes the portable information terminal to face the top of the terminal vertically downward. When it is detected that the camera is facing downward, the recovery is suppressed even if a predetermined operation for instructing the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode is performed.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable information terminal with excellent operability that can be successfully returned to the normal power mode regardless of the brightness of the use environment while preventing waste of power. There is an effect.

1 is an external view of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the direction of the said portable information terminal which has a rectangular external appearance, and the 3 axis | shaft relationship which the built-in acceleration sensor detects. In the said portable information terminal, it is explanatory drawing which shows four types of situations which can be detected with a proximity sensor and an acceleration sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the said portable information terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the state setting process which the malfunction prevention part of the said portable information terminal implements. It is a flowchart which shows the process which returns to normal electric power mode by the input from the touch sensor in the said portable information terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the state setting process which the malfunction prevention part of the portable information terminal which concerns on other embodiment of this invention implements. It is an external view of the portable information terminal which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the return | restoration to normal electric power mode by pressing down a power switch in the portable information terminal which concerns on the said other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the return | restoration to the normal power mode by the input from a touch sensor in the portable information terminal which concerns on the said other embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the portable information terminal which concerns on the said other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process regarding control of return to normal electric power mode in the portable information terminal which concerns on the said other embodiment.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, it will be as follows if one Embodiment of this invention is described based on FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a portable information terminal according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called smartphone in which the entirety is collected in a rectangular housing 10 that can be held with one hand. A display input unit 12 is provided in the center of the housing 10.

  The display input unit 12 is a display input device having a touch panel function, and is a user interface that displays various kinds of information on the screen and receives a user instruction input to the portable information terminal 1 from the screen. Although not shown, the display input unit 12 has a configuration in which a touch panel, a display panel, and a backlight are stacked, and a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic EL display (OLED), or the like is used as the display panel. .

  A receiver 15 and a proximity sensor 14 are provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and on the front surface side on which the screen of the display input unit 12 is located. In the rectangular portable information terminal 1, one end in the longitudinal direction where the receiver 15 is provided is the upper part of the terminal, and serves as a reference for the portrait display in the display input unit 12.

  The proximity sensor 14 detects that an object is in proximity to the proximity sensor 14. The proximity sensor 14 is also mounted in a conventional portable information terminal in order to detect a state where the ear is close to the receiver 15. In the present embodiment, the detection target of the proximity sensor 14 is not limited to the human body, and it is necessary to detect a thing in a cloth or a bag, which is assumed to be close when put in a bag or a pocket. The thing of the structure which can detect all the objects in is installed.

  A pair of touch sensors 16 are provided on both long side surfaces of the housing 10 as grip sensors for sensing that the mobile information terminal 1 is gripped by the user. The touch sensor 16 detects a state where the hand is touching the touch sensor 16. The touch sensor 16 is conventionally mounted on a portable information terminal for the purpose of detecting how an operator's hand holds the portable information terminal 1.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the mobile information terminal 1 is equipped with an acceleration sensor (orientation detection sensor) that detects the orientation of the mobile information terminal 1. Such an acceleration sensor is also conventionally mounted in a portable information terminal in order to switch the display direction in the display input unit 12 according to the direction of the portable information terminal 1. Although an acceleration sensor is illustrated here, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like can be used as the direction detection sensor.

  Furthermore, in the conventional mobile information terminal, when conditions such as the absence of operation for a predetermined time have been met, the power saving mode that supplies power only to necessary components from the normal power mode in which the entire system is activated The transition to is done. In the power saving mode, energization of the display input unit 12 is stopped and the screen is turned off. In order to input an instruction to the portable information terminal that has shifted to the power saving mode, it is necessary to return to the normal power mode again and turn on the screen.

  In the portable information terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, when the touch sensor 16 detects contact with a finger or the like when the user grips the portable information terminal 1 or the like in the power saving mode, it is assumed that a return event has occurred and normal power is consumed. It is configured to return to mode.

  According to this, when the user touches the portable information terminal, the screen returns to the normal power mode and the screen is turned on. Compared to the configuration of tapping and returning, a much superior operability can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in this case, more preferably, when a contact of a finger or the like is detected by both of the pair of touch sensors 16 and it can be determined that the portable information terminal 1 is in a state of being held by a hand, a return event is detected. Thus, it is configured to return to the normal power mode.

  According to this, it does not return when the hand accidentally touches the portable information terminal 1, and returns to the normal power mode and the screen is turned on at the timing when the user grasps for the purpose of using the portable information terminal 1. Therefore, power consumption can be further suppressed.

  However, if the return to the normal power mode is permitted only by detection by the touch sensor 16, when the portable information terminal 1 is put in a pocket of clothes or a bag, the user intends only by putting the hand in the pocket. However, it will return to the normal power mode (the screen will be on), and power will be wasted. Therefore, a technique for avoiding such wasteful power consumption is necessary, but it must be avoided that the operability for returning to the normal power mode varies depending on the brightness of the use environment.

  In view of such a problem, in the portable information terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, the state of the portable information terminal 1 housed in a bag or a pocket of clothes is verified, and the detection results of the proximity sensor 14 and the acceleration sensor are obtained. It is used to determine whether the portable information terminal 1 is accommodated in a bag or a pocket of clothes. Hereinafter, this will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

The inventor of the present application verified the movement of a human hand relative to the portable information terminal 1 when resuming use of the portable information terminal 1 and when the portable information terminal 1 is accommodated and carried. As a result, they found the following and decided as follows.
(1) As one of the situations where use is resumed, it has been found that an operation of lifting and grasping (grip) a portable information terminal once released from the hand is performed. In view of this, a change from the ungripped state to the gripped state in the portable information terminal is regarded as one of the return events, and is returned.
(2) When you stop using and carry it, it is often carried in a pocket of clothes or in a designated pocket even when you put it in a bag. Found that the top of the terminal was often stored facing down in order to place the gripped portable information terminal in the pocket. Therefore, when the portable information terminal is facing downward and the object is in the proximity state by the proximity sensor, it is determined that the portable information terminal is accommodated in the pocket, and the portable information terminal returns to the normal power mode. Even if a return event occurs when a predetermined operation is performed, the return event is invalidated and the return is suppressed.

  2A and 2B show the relationship between the orientation of the portable information terminal 1 having a rectangular appearance and the three axes detected by the built-in acceleration sensor. Of the three axes of the acceleration sensor, the y-axis is parallel to the vertical direction, and the x-axis and z-axis are perpendicular to the vertical direction. The fact that the portable information terminal 1 is downward means that the upper part of the terminal is turned upward by 180 ° (± 20 °) around the x-axis or 180 ° (± 20 °) around the z-axis from above. It is detected as a state. ± 20 ° is an allowable range that is satisfactory even if the mobile information terminal 1 is determined to be vertically downward even if it is not rotated exactly 180 ° around the x-axis or the z-axis.

  4A to 3D show four types of situations that can be detected by the proximity sensor 14 and the acceleration sensor. (A) is a case where there is no object close to the proximity sensor 14 and the portable information terminal 1 is not facing downward. When the user grips the portable information terminal 1 and contact is detected by the touch sensor 16, the portable information terminal 1 returns to the normal power mode.

  (B) is a case where there is an object in proximity to the proximity sensor 14 but the portable information terminal 1 is not facing downward. Since it is assumed that the finger covers the proximity sensor 14 in normal use, when contact is detected by the touch sensor 16 as in (a), the normal power mode is restored.

  (C) is a case where there is no object close to the proximity sensor 14 but the portable information terminal 1 is facing downward. In normal use, it is assumed that it is just gripped in the opposite direction (it is immediately picked up), so that when the touch sensor 16 detects contact, it returns to the normal power mode as in (a). .

  (D) is a case where there is an object close to the proximity sensor 14 and the portable information terminal 1 is also facing downward. The mobile information terminal 1 does not return to the normal power mode even if contact is detected by the touch sensor 16 because it is not considered a normal use state and is assumed to be stored in a pocket or the like.

  Next, the main part of the portable information terminal 1 that controls the return to the normal power mode in this way will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the portable information terminal. As shown in FIG. 4, the portable information terminal 1 includes a display input control unit 30 and a control device (return control unit) 20 in addition to the display input unit 12, the proximity sensor 14, the touch sensor 16, and the acceleration sensor 36 described above. ing.

  The display input control unit 30 controls the display input unit 12. When an instruction is input by operating the screen of the display input unit 12, the display input control unit 30 transmits the instruction to the control device 20. Information corresponding to the instruction is displayed on the screen of the display input unit 12.

  The control device 20 controls each unit in the portable information terminal 1. The control device 20 also includes an event control processing unit 22, a malfunction suppression state holding unit 24, a touch operation detection unit 28, and a malfunction prevention unit 26.

  The malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 holds the state of whether to permit or suppress the return to the normal power mode by input from the touch sensor 16.

  The malfunction prevention unit 26 sets a state held by the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24, that is, a state of whether to allow or suppress the return to the normal power mode by an input from the touch sensor 16. The malfunction prevention unit 26 executes a state setting process when it is time to set a state to be held in the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24. The malfunction prevention unit 26 holds the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 when notified from the touch operation detection unit 28 that the portable information terminal 1 has changed from being touched to not being touched. It is determined that it is time to set the state to be activated.

  Detection results are input from the proximity sensor 14 and the acceleration sensor 36 to the malfunction prevention unit 26. In the state setting process, the malfunction prevention unit 26 determines whether an object is in the proximity state of the portable information terminal 1 based on the input value from the proximity sensor 14, and based on the input value from the acceleration sensor 36. Then, the orientation of the portable information terminal 1 is measured to determine whether or not the portable information terminal 1 is facing downward.

  The malfunction prevention unit 26 suppresses the return to the normal power mode by the input from the touch sensor 16 when it is determined that the object is close to the portable information terminal 1 and the portable information terminal 1 is facing downward. Is held (set) in the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24. In addition, the malfunction prevention unit 26 determines that the object is close to the portable information terminal 1 and the portable information terminal 1 is facing downward, that is, at least the object is not in close proximity to the portable information terminal 1. If the mobile information terminal 1 is determined not to face downward, the state that suppresses the return due to the input held in the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 is canceled, and the touch sensor 16 A state in which a return to the normal power mode is permitted by input is set (set).

  A detection result is input to the touch operation detection unit 28 from the touch sensor 16. Based on the input value from the touch sensor 16, the touch operation detection unit 28 determines whether or not the hand is touching the portable information terminal 1, and more preferably whether or not it is gripped. judge.

  Based on the input value from the touch sensor 16, the touch operation detection unit 28 changes from a state where the hand is not touched to a state where the hand is touched (in a more preferable configuration, the touch operation detection unit 28 is gripped from the state where the hand is not touched). When a change to the state is detected, a touch event (one of the return events) is notified to the event control processing unit 22.

  Further, the touch operation detection unit 28 changes based on an input value from the touch sensor 16 from a state in which the hand is touching to a state in which the hand is not touching (in a more preferable configuration, the touch is detected from the gripped state. Is detected), the malfunction prevention unit 26 is notified of the change from the state in which the hand is touching to the state in which the hand is not touching.

  When the touch event is notified from the touch operation detection unit 28, the event control processing unit 22 accesses the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 to acquire the stored content, and a state in which the state of suppressing the return process is held is held. In the case where the state of inhibiting the return to the normal power mode and permitting the process to return is held, the mode is returned to the normal power mode.

  Next, processing related to control of returning to the normal power mode in the portable information terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a state setting process performed by the malfunction prevention unit 26 of the portable information terminal 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing for returning to the normal power mode by an input from the touch sensor 16 in the portable information terminal 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 20 in the portable information terminal 1 measures the inclination of the portable information terminal 1 based on the input value from the acceleration sensor 36 (S1). The malfunction prevention unit 26 of the control device 20 determines whether the portable information terminal 1 is rotated 180 ° (± 20 °) with respect to the x-axis or the z-axis from the measured inclination (S2). Here, when it is determined that it is not rotating, that is, when it is determined that it is not downward, the state in which the input from the touch sensor 16 is permitted (return by input is permitted) is held in the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24. (S5).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S <b> 2 that the object is rotating, that is, if it is determined that the object is facing downward, the control device 20 determines the proximity of the object to the portable information terminal 1 based on the input value from the proximity sensor 14. The state is measured (S3). The malfunction prevention unit 26 of the control device 20 determines whether or not the object is in the proximity state with respect to the portable information terminal 1 from the measured proximity state (S4). Here, when it determines with it not being in a proximity | contact state, it transfers to S5.

  On the other hand, also in S4, when it is determined that the vehicle is in the proximity state, the malfunction prevention unit 26 of the control device 20 holds the state that inhibits the input from the touch sensor 16 (suppresss the return due to the input) and maintains the malfunction suppression state. It holds in the part 24 (S6).

  In this way, in the state where the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 holds the permission or suppression state, the touch operation detection unit 28 of the control device 20 receives the input from the touch sensor 16 as shown in FIG. A touch event is acquired based on the value (S11). The touch operation detection unit 28 notifies the event control processing unit 22 of the acquired touch event. The event control processing unit 22 acquires information on whether or not the return (screen on) is being suppressed from the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 (S12).

  The event control processing unit 22 determines whether the return (screen on) is being suppressed based on the information acquired from the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 (S13). Here, if it is determined that the screen is not being suppressed, the display input control unit 30 is requested to turn on the screen (S14). Thereby, the portable information terminal 1 returns to the normal power mode. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is being suppressed, the display input control unit 30 is not requested to turn on the screen (S15). Thereby, the portable information terminal 1 holds the power saving mode.

  As described above, according to the portable information terminal 1 of the present embodiment, the portable information terminal 1 is assumed to be carried with the portable information terminal 1 facing down, and the normal power mode is entered while preventing waste of power. The operability can be improved satisfactorily regardless of the brightness of the usage environment.

  Note that the configuration instructing the return to the normal power mode by the input from the touch sensor 16 may be used in combination with the configuration instructing the return to the normal power mode by pressing the power switch, for example.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The mobile information terminal 1 'according to the present embodiment is the same as the mobile information terminal 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference between the two lies in the procedure of the state setting process performed by the malfunction prevention unit 26. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a state setting process performed by the malfunction prevention unit 26 of the portable information terminal 1 ′ according to the present embodiment, instead of FIG. 5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the portable information terminal 1 ′, the proximity state of the object to the portable information terminal 1 ′ is first measured based on the input value from the proximity sensor 14, and whether or not the object is in the proximity state. Is determined (S21, 22). And when it determines with it being in a proximity | contact state, the inclination of the said portable information terminal 1 'is measured based on the input value from the acceleration sensor 36, The said portable information terminal 1' is with respect to an x-axis or az axis. It is then determined whether the rotation is 180 ° (± 20 °) (S23, 24). S25 and S26 are the same as S5 and S6 in FIG.

[Embodiment 3]
It will be as follows if other embodiment of this invention is described based on FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 8 is an external view of the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the portable information terminal 100 according to the present embodiment, the power switch 101 is provided on the upper surface of the upper part of the terminal in the housing 10, for example. The power switch 101 is a mechanical switch, and can be instructed to turn on and off the power by long pressing. Further, the power switch 101 can be instructed to return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode by being pressed in the power saving mode.

  In the portable information terminal 100 according to the present embodiment, as in the portable information terminals 1 and 1 ′ of the first and second embodiments, when the touch sensor 16 detects contact with a finger or the like in the power saving mode, the normal power It is configured to return to mode.

  However, the return by input from the touch sensor 16 is different from the return by pressing the power switch 101 when the proximity sensor 14 detects that the object is in proximity to the portable information terminal 100. Is determined not to be the return intended by the user, and the return is suppressed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, in the portable information terminal 100, when the power switch 101 is pressed in the power saving mode, the portable information terminal 100 returns to the normal power mode (screen on) regardless of the detection by the proximity sensor 14. This is because, unlike the touch sensor 16, the power switch 101 is unlikely to be pressed due to its structure regardless of the user's intention. Therefore, when the power switch 101 is pressed, the normal power mode is forcibly returned regardless of the detection by the proximity sensor 14.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when it is detected that a finger or the like touches the touch sensor 16 in the power saving mode, it is further determined whether or not the object is in the proximity state based on the detection by the proximity sensor 14. If it is not in the proximity state, it returns to the normal power mode, but if it is in the proximity state, the return to the normal power mode is suppressed (screen off). This is because, when the portable information terminal 100 is put in a bag or pocket, it is considered that contact with the touch sensor 16 that is not intended to return is likely to occur. Therefore, when the object is in the proximity state based on the detection by the proximity sensor 14, it is determined that the contact is not intended and the return to the normal power mode is suppressed.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the portable information terminal 100. In the portable information terminal 100, the control device 120 includes a malfunction prevention unit 126 instead of the malfunction prevention unit 26, and also includes an event control processing unit 122 instead of the event control processing unit 22.

  A detection result from the proximity sensor 14 is input to the malfunction prevention unit 126, and the malfunction prevention unit 126 determines whether or not the object is in proximity to the portable information terminal 100 based on the input value from the proximity sensor 14. And the state held by the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 is set.

  Specifically, when the malfunction prevention unit 126 determines that the object is in the proximity state to the portable information terminal 100, the malfunction prevention unit 126 sets the state that suppresses the return to the normal power mode by the input from the touch sensor 16 as the malfunction suppression state. It is held (set) in the holding unit 24. Further, when the malfunction prevention unit 126 determines that the object is not in the proximity state to the portable information terminal 100, the malfunction prevention state holding unit 24 sets a state in which the return to the normal power mode by the input from the touch sensor 16 is permitted. Keep (set).

  In addition to the signal from the touch operation detection unit 28, the event control processing unit 122 also receives a signal from the power switch 101, and the touch operation detection unit 28 generates a touch event based on the input value from the touch sensor 16. When it is acquired or the power switch 101 is turned on, it is determined that an instruction to return to the normal power mode has been issued.

  When the event control processing unit 122 acquires a touch event, the event control processing unit 122 notifies the malfunction prevention unit 126 of a return instruction by an input from the touch sensor 16.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing related to control of returning to the normal power mode in the portable information terminal 100. As illustrated in FIG. 12, when the event control processing unit 122 of the control device 120 determines that an instruction to return to the normal power mode has been issued (S31), the event control processing unit 122 is an instruction to return (screen on) based on an input from the touch sensor 16. It is determined whether or not (S32). If the event control processing unit 122 determines that the return instruction is not based on an input from the touch sensor 16, the process proceeds to S35. On the other hand, if it is determined that the return instruction is based on the input from the touch sensor 16, the process proceeds to S <b> 33, and the control device 120 determines the proximity state of the object to the portable information terminal 100 based on the input value from the proximity sensor 14. Measure (S33). The malfunction prevention unit 126 of the control device 120 determines whether the object is in the proximity state with respect to the portable information terminal 100 from the measured proximity state (S34).

  If it is determined in S34 that the state is not the proximity state, the process proceeds to S35, and the malfunction prevention unit 126 retains in the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 the state in which the input from the touch sensor 16 is permitted (return by input is permitted). To do. On the other hand, if it is determined in S34 that the vehicle is in the proximity state, the process proceeds to S36, in which the malfunction prevention unit 126 suppresses the input from the touch sensor 16 (suppresses the return due to input), and the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24. Hold on.

  In this way, when the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24 holds a state suitable for the return instruction, the event control processing unit 122 determines whether to allow the malfunction (screen on) to be suppressed or permitted by the malfunction suppression state holding unit 24. Information is acquired (S37), and it is determined whether or not to suppress (S38). In S38, when it is determined not to suppress (No), the display input control unit 30 is requested to turn on the screen (S39). Thereby, the portable information terminal 100 returns to the normal power mode. On the other hand, when it determines with suppressing in S38, a screen ON is not requested | required of the display input control part 30 (S40). Thereby, the portable information terminal 100 maintains the power saving mode.

  In the present embodiment, when returning from an input from the touch sensor 16, when the object is in the proximity state, the return to the normal power mode is suppressed. However, the normal power mode is changed to the power saving mode. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the non-operation period for determining the timing to be restored is shorter than usual.

  That is, the portable information terminal 100 shifts to the power saving mode when conditions such as a predetermined time elapses when no operation is performed. The period during which there is no operation for determining the transition to the power saving mode (non-operation period) varies depending on the device, but can be set by the user, for example, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute,. Therefore, when the object is in the proximity state, it is highly likely that the return instruction is due to an erroneous input, and after going through a no-operation period shorter than usual (for example, after 5 seconds), the mode shifts to the power saving mode. It is good also as a structure returned by conditions.

[Example of software implementation]
The control devices 20, 120 of the portable information terminals 1, 1 ', 100 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). And may be realized by software.

  In the latter case, the portable information terminal 1, 1 ', 100 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software for realizing each function, and a ROM in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU). (Read Only Memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program, and the like. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
A portable information terminal according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a portable information terminal having a power saving mode for supplying power only to necessary components, and a normal power mode for performing normal power supply. A proximity sensor that detects that the object is in proximity, a direction detection sensor that detects the orientation of the portable information terminal, and a return control unit that controls the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode, The return control unit detects that the object is in the proximity state by the proximity sensor, and detects that the orientation of the portable information terminal is downward with the upper part of the terminal facing vertically downward by the orientation detection sensor. In such a case, the return is suppressed even if a predetermined operation for instructing the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode is performed.

  According to this, even when a predetermined operation for instructing the return to the normal power mode is performed only when it is assumed that the portable information terminal faces downward and the portable information terminal is put in a bag or a pocket, I'm going to ignore this.

  Therefore, although it is assumed to be carried with the portable information terminal facing down, it is excellent in operability that can return to the normal power mode satisfactorily regardless of the brightness of the usage environment while preventing waste of power. It will be.

  The portable information terminal according to aspect 2 of the present invention further includes a touch sensor that detects that a hand is in contact with the portable information terminal in the aspect 1, and the return control unit includes the touch sensor. When the hand is brought into contact with the detection, it can be determined that the predetermined operation for instructing the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode is performed.

  According to this, when the user touches the portable information terminal, the screen returns to the normal power mode and the screen is turned on. Compared with the configuration in which the tapping is performed to recover, the operability is further improved.

  In the portable information terminal according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 2, the touch sensor is provided on both sides of the casing of the portable information terminal, and the return control unit is provided on both sides. Returning from the power saving mode to the normal power mode when it is determined that the hand touched the portable information terminal and the portable information terminal is held by the hand by the detected touch sensor. It is good also as a structure which determines with the said predetermined | prescribed operation | movement which instruct | indicated having been made | formed.

  According to this, it does not return to the extent that the hand accidentally touched the portable information terminal, but at the timing gripped by the user for the purpose of using the portable information terminal, the screen returns to the normal power mode and the screen is turned on. Power consumption can be further reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

  A portable information terminal according to aspect 4 of the present invention is a portable information terminal having a power saving mode for supplying power only to necessary components and a normal power mode for performing normal power supply, the portable information terminal A proximity sensor that detects that the object is in proximity, a touch sensor that detects that the hand is in contact with the portable information terminal, and a return control unit that controls the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode. The return control unit is one of a plurality of predetermined operations for instructing a return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode when the hand is in a contact state by detection of the touch sensor. Although it is determined that an operation has been performed, for a predetermined operation based on detection by the touch sensor, if the proximity sensor detects that the object is in the proximity state, the predetermined operation is It is characterized in that also to prevent a return to the.

  According to this, when it is assumed that the portable information terminal is put in a bag, a pocket or the like while having a convenient configuration in which a touch to the touch sensor can be instructed to return to the normal power mode Is prevented from returning by bringing a hand into contact with the touch sensor.

  Therefore, while preventing waste of electric power, the operability can be satisfactorily performed to return to the normal power mode regardless of the brightness of the use environment.

  The present invention can be used for portable information terminals, such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and an electronic book reader, for example.

1, 1 ', 100 Portable information terminal 10 Housing 12 Display input unit 14 Proximity sensor 16 Touch sensor 20, 120 Control device (return control unit)
22, 122 Event control processing unit 24 Malfunction suppression state holding unit 26, 126 Malfunction prevention unit 28 Touch operation detection unit 30 Display input control unit 36 Acceleration sensor (direction detection sensor)

Claims (4)

A portable information terminal having a power saving mode for supplying power only to necessary components and a normal power mode for performing normal power supply,
A proximity sensor that detects that an object is in proximity to the portable information terminal;
An orientation detection sensor for detecting the orientation of the portable information terminal;
A return control unit for controlling the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode,
The return control unit detects that the object is in the proximity state by the proximity sensor, and detects that the orientation of the portable information terminal is downward with the upper part of the terminal facing vertically downward by the orientation detection sensor. In such a case, the portable information terminal is characterized in that the return is suppressed even if a predetermined operation for instructing the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode is performed. The portable information terminal has a touch sensor that detects that the hand is in contact,
The return control unit determines that the predetermined operation for instructing the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode is performed when a hand is in a contact state by detection of the touch sensor. Item 2. A portable information terminal according to Item 1. The touch sensor is provided on both sides of the casing of the portable information terminal,
When the return control unit determines that the hand is in contact with the portable information terminal by the detection of the touch sensors provided on both sides, and the portable information terminal is in a state of being held by the hand, The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the predetermined operation for instructing the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode has been performed. A portable information terminal having a power saving mode for supplying power only to necessary components and a normal power mode for performing normal power supply,
A proximity sensor that detects that an object is in proximity to the portable information terminal;
A touch sensor for detecting that the hand is in contact with the portable information terminal;
A return control unit for controlling the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode,
The return control unit determines that one of a plurality of predetermined operations for instructing the return from the power saving mode to the normal power mode has been performed when the hand is in a contact state by the detection of the touch sensor. However, with respect to the predetermined operation based on the detection of the touch sensor, if the proximity sensor detects that the object is in the proximity state, the return is suppressed even if the predetermined operation is performed. Mobile information terminal.

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